Bondi Amateur Swimming Cub set to celebrate its 125th anniversary at season opener on Saturday

LEGENDARY Australian swimmer Murray Rose is one of many famous faces to come out of the Bondi Amateur Swimming Club, which turns 125 this weekend.

Swimming season at Bondi starts on Saturday. Picture: Bondi ASC

Bondi Amateur Swimming Club will celebrate its 125th anniversary with season-opening events this Saturday.

It has produced many champion swimmers, is one of the nation’s oldest sporting clubs and its activities at the Bondi Baths, downstairs from the Icebergs club, each Saturday between 9 and 11.30am, include:

• Races for all ages and in all strokes as handicap events over 26 weeks;

• Free learn-to-swim lessons for members over the age of five.

Murray Rose was a product of the swimming club. Picture: AFP PHOTO

Margaret Whitlam was also a member.

The club has produced swimmers such as Murray Rose (left), Gary Winram, Murray Garretty, Stephen Badger, Graeme Brewer, Pat Norton, Judy Playfair, Maree Robinson and Margaret Dovey, wife of former prime minister Gough Whitlam (right), who were Australian champions and represented at Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

Bondi ASC was formed in 1892; the Bondi Ladies ASC was founded in 1907 and functioned until 1912 before reformed in 1920 and the two clubs merged in 1969.

New members are welcome.

For more information, call club secretary Sandra Hallam on 0407 145 719 or [e-mail]